Multitubular constant head reflux condenser

Claim 2

IN DISTILLATION APPARATUS COMPRISING AN EVAPORATOR FOR VAPORIZING FEED LIQUID AND A CONDENSER FOR CONDENSING DISTILLATION VAPOR FROM SAID EVPORATOR AND PREHEATING THE FEED LIQUID FOR SAID EVAPORATOR, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID APPARATUS COMPRISES: A. A VAPOR CONDUIT IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID EVAPORATOR FOR PASSAGE OF DISTILLATION VAPOR THERETHROUGH: B. A LIQUID CONDUIT IN ADVANCE OF AND IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID EVAPORATOR AND IN HEAT-TRANSFER RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID VAPOR CONDUIT FOR PASSAGE OF FEED LIQUID THERETHROUGH TO PARTIALLY PREHEAT SAID FEED LIQUID AND CONDESE SAID DISTILLATION VAPOR, AND C. A VALVED LIQUID CONDUIT FOR FURTHER PREHEATING A PORTION OF SAID PARTIALLY PREHEATED FEED LIQUID HAVING I. AN INLET COMMUNICATING WITH SAID LIQUID CONDUIT INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF TO RECEIVE SAID PORTION OF PARTIALLY PREHEATED FEED LIQUID, II. AN OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH SAID EVAPORATOR TO FORWARD SAID PORTION OF FURTHER PREHEATED FEED LIQUID THERETO, AND

Claim 3

The distillation apparatus of claim 1 wherein a length of said valved liquid conduit between said valve means and said outlet is in heat-transfer relationship with said vapor conduit, said length being sufficient to further preheat substantially to the boiling point said portion of feed liquid during passage therethrough.

Claim 4

The distillation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet is disposed in a plane above the plane of said outlet and said valve means is disposed in a plane below the plane of said outlet, whereby a constant head of liquid pressure, formed in the length of said valved liquid conduit between the horizontal planes of the said inlet and outlet thereof, is presented to said valve means.

Claim 5

The distillation apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inlet, said outlet and said valve means are disposed in successively lower horizontal planes.

Claim 6

The distillation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet communicates with said liquid conduit adjacent the outflow end thereof.

Claim 7

The distillation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said condenser is a constant head reflux condenser comprising a multi-tubular housing having said vapor conduit, said liquid conduit, said valved liquid conduit, and additionally a condensed distillate output conduit in communication with said vapor conduit for removal of condensed distillation vapor from said housing, A. said vapor conduit having in gaseous communication i. a vapor inlet disposed adjacent one end of said housing for introducing distillation vapor from said evaporator into said housing, and ii. a vapor outlet disposed adjacent the other end of said housing for removing uncondensed distillation vapor from said housing; B. said liquid conduit having serially in liquid communication i. a feed liquid inlet for introducing feed liquid into said housing, ii. a recirculating liquid outlet for removal of said portions of partially preheated liquid, and iii. an excess liquid outlet for removal of the remainder of partially preheated feed liquid from said housing; and C. said valved liquid conduit having in liquid communication through said adjustable valve means i. said recirculating liquid outlet as said inlet for said portion of partially preheated feed liquid, and ii. an overflow liquid outlet disposed in a horizontal plane below the horizontal plane of said recirculating liquid outlet as said outlet to forward said portion of further preheated feed liquid from said housing to said evaporator; a length of said valved liquid conduit connecting said recirculating liquid outlet and said overflow liquid outlet being in heat-transfer relationship with said vapor conduit, said length being sufficient to further preheat substantially to its boiling point said portion of feed liquid passing therethrough; and said adjustable valve means being disposed below the horizontal plane of said overflow liquid outlet, whereby a constant head of liquid pressure formed in the length of said valved liquid head conduit between the horizontal planes of said recirculating liquid outlet and said overflow liquid outlet is presented to said adjustable valve means.

Claim 8

The distillation apparatus of claim 6 wherein the length of said valved liquid conduit connecting said recirculating liquid outlet and said adjustable valve means is spaced from both said vapor conduit and said liquid conduit.

Claim 9

The distillation apparatus of claim 6 wherein said housing is generally vertically-extending; said vapor inlet, said condensed distillate output conduit, and said feed liquid inlet being disposed adjacent the base of said housing; said vapor outlet and said excess liquid outlet being disposed adjacent the top of said housing.

Claim 10

The distillation apparatus of claim 8 wherein a length of said liquid conduit disposed below the horizontal plane of said overflow liquid outlet comprises an interior liquid channel and a length of said liquid conduit disposed above the horizontal plane of said overflow liquid outlet comprises an exterior liquid channel, said interior and exterior liquid channels being in direct communication, the low end of said interior liquid channel being in liquid communication with said feed liquid inlet and the high end of said exterior liquid channel being in liquid communication with said excess liquid outlet; and wherein a length of said valved liquid conduit in heat-transfer relationship with said vapor conduit comprises a second exterior liquid channel disposed below said first exterior liquid channel; and wherein said interior liquid channel and said second exterior liquid channel define therebetween an annulus forming a portion of said vapor conduit; and wherein the remainder of said vapor conduit above said vapor conduit portion comprises an interior vapor channel.

Claim 11

The distillation apparatus of claim 6 further including a vent common to said excess liquid outlet and said overflow liquid outlet.